NDECC Fee History 2024-2025 – Three Consecutive Reductions Explained

1. NDECC Fee Timeline – From Launch to 2025

The National Dental Examination of Clinical Competence (NDECC) replaced the legacy NDEB practical exams in September 2022. Since its launch, the exam fee has decreased three times in a row. This is highly unusual for professional licensure examinations, where fees typically increase annually.

Fee history timeline:

The NDEB announced the July 2025 reduction on June 3, 2025, following the Board’s approval of fees for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The announcement confirmed that this is the “third consecutive fee reduction for the NDECC since it was implemented in September 2022.”

Candidates who registered for the NDECC before the July 2025 reduction but whose exam date falls after July 1, 2025 received an automatic refund of the difference. The NDEB did not require candidates to request this refund.

2. Why the NDECC Fee Is Dropping – The NDEB’s Non-Profit Model

The NDEB is a non-profit organisation. Unlike commercial testing companies, it does not generate profits for shareholders. Every dollar collected in exam fees is used to cover the actual costs of developing, administering, and grading examinations.

Here is how the fee review process works:

Each year, the costs of exams are independently reviewed to ensure they align with the expenses associated with their administration. This review determines if an exam registration fee should be changed. For the NDECC, this type of review has resulted in a fee reduction for two consecutive years.

What do exam fees cover? The NDEB breaks down the costs:

- Workshops for the creation of exam content
- Exam standards setting
- Exam administration in suitable locations with supporting staff
- Grading by qualified professionals
- Continuous improvement of exam materials
- Administrative expenses

The NDECC fee reduction does not mean the exam is cheaper to develop or easier to pass. It means the NDEB has become more efficient at delivering the exam. The Ottawa Test Centre now runs multiple sessions per week throughout the year, spreading fixed costs across more candidates. The NDEB also benefits from economies of scale as the number of Equivalency Process candidates grows.

3. Complete 2025-2026 NDEB Fee Schedule

The July 1, 2025 fee update applies to all Equivalency Process candidates. Below is the complete, current fee schedule as published on the NDEB website.

Examination Fees (effective July 1, 2025):

Other Fees:

If you create more than one application to the same Equivalency Process, you will be refunded the $900 application fee less the $200 administrative fee.

All fees are in Canadian currency and are subject to change. The NDEB reviews fees annually.

4. How the NDECC Fee Compares to Other NDEB Exams

The NDECC remains the most expensive component of the Equivalency Process by a wide margin, even after three fee reductions. Here is how the costs stack up for a candidate who passes every exam on the first attempt:

Base exam fees only (first-attempt pass):

The NDECC accounts for approximately 67% of total base exam fees. The AFK and ACJ combined account for only 24%. The application fee makes up the remaining 9%.

This disparity exists because the NDECC is a much more expensive exam to administer than the AFK or ACJ. The Clinical Skills Component requires:

- A dedicated test centre in Ottawa with manikin stations
- Dental instruments, handpieces, burs, and consumable materials for every candidate
- Trained evaluators to grade each procedure in real time
- Multiple exam sessions per week throughout the year

The AFK and ACJ, by contrast, are computer-based multiple-choice exams delivered at existing Prometric test centres. The marginal cost per candidate is much lower.

5. The Virtual OSCE Fee Reduction – A Related Change

The July 2025 fee announcement also included a reduction for the Virtual OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination). This exam is part of the Certification Process, not the Equivalency Process. However, the reduction is worth noting because it shows the NDEB’s broader commitment to fee affordability.

Effective July 1, 2025, the Virtual OSCE registration fee was reduced to $1,750. This was the first fee reduction for this examination since it was launched in 2023.

The Virtual OSCE is taken by:

- Graduates of CDAC-accredited Canadian and US dental schools (the Certification Process)
- Equivalency Process candidates who have passed the NDECC and are moving toward full NDEB certification

If you are an internationally trained dentist, you will encounter the Virtual OSCE only after completing the NDECC. The fee reduction is therefore relevant to your long-term planning.

Virtual OSCE fee history:

6. What the Fee Reductions Mean for Your Total Budget

The three consecutive NDECC fee reductions have lowered the financial barrier to Canadian dental licensure. However, exam fees remain only one part of your total investment.

Here is how the total cost of the Equivalency Process has changed since the NDECC launched:

Total reduction since launch: $1,500 (approximately 13%).

While $1,500 is a meaningful saving, it is modest compared to the full cost of the Equivalency Process. Most candidates spend between $25,000 and $35,000 CAD when they include:

- Preparatory courses ($2,500–$8,000)
- Travel to Prometric centres for AFK and ACJ
- Travel to Ottawa for the NDECC ($1,500–$2,500 per trip)
- Accommodation and meals during exam periods
- Credential verification and document translation
- Provincial licensing fees after receiving your NDEB Certificate

7. Will NDECC Fees Drop Again in 2026?

The NDEB reviews fees annually. The next review will occur in early 2026 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Whether fees drop again depends on:

- Continued efficiency gains at the Ottawa Test Centre
- The number of candidates registering for the NDECC (higher volume reduces per-candidate fixed costs)
- Any changes to exam content or delivery methods

The NDEB has not announced any plans for future fee reductions. However, the trend of three consecutive reductions suggests that the organisation is committed to keeping the NDECC affordable. The original $8,000 fee was likely set conservatively to cover unexpected costs during the exam’s launch. Now that the NDECC is mature, the NDEB has more accurate data on actual expenses.

What could increase fees in the future?

- Inflation in operating costs (rent, utilities, staff salaries)
- Changes to exam content requiring new materials or evaluator training
- A significant drop in candidate volume (unlikely given Canada’s continued demand for internationally trained dentists)

For now, candidates should plan based on the current $6,500 full exam fee. If another reduction occurs in 2026, treat it as a bonus — do not delay your NDECC registration hoping for a lower price.

8. Refund Policy for Candidates Affected by the July 2025 Reduction

If you registered for the NDECC before July 1, 2025, and your exam date is after July 1, 2025, you are entitled to a refund of the fee difference.

Refund amounts by registration date:

The refund is automatic. The NDEB processes refunds to the original payment method used during registration. If your payment method is no longer valid, contact NDEB support through NDEBConnect.

This refund policy applies only to registrations for exams held after July 1, 2025. If you took the NDECC before July 1, 2025, you are not eligible for a refund — the fee in effect at the time of your exam was the correct fee for that period.

9. Fee Comparison – NDECC vs Other International Dental Licensure Exams

For context, here is how the NDECC fee compares to similar clinical competence examinations in other English-speaking countries.

The NDECC is more expensive than the US INBDE but comparable to the Australian ADC clinical exam. The key difference is that the US INBDE is a computer-based exam with no clinical skills component — it assesses knowledge only, not hands-on ability. The NDECC assesses both clinical skills (on manikins) and situational judgement, making it a more comprehensive (and more expensive) examination.

For internationally trained dentists, the NDECC remains the most cost-effective route to Canadian licensure when compared to a degree completion programme (which costs $150,000–$200,000 and takes 2.5–3 years).

Related NDECC articles

References

• National Dental Examining Board of Canada | Official announcement of third consecutive NDECC fee reduction effective July 1, 2025 ($6,500 full exam, $3,250 per component)
• National Dental Examining Board of Canada | Complete fee schedule for Equivalency Process including AFK ($1,000), ACJ ($1,350), NDECC ($6,500), application fee ($900), and all other service fees
• National Dental Examining Board of Canada | Explanation of annual independent fee review process and how NDECC fee was reduced by $1,000 for two consecutive years
• ConfiDentist | 2025 guide to total Equivalency Process costs including exam fees, prep courses, travel, and hidden expenses (total budget $25,000–$35,000 CAD)
• Fast-Track Your Dental Career in Canada | Historical reference showing NDECC fee at $8,000 CAD pre-July 2024 (Medium article, June 2024)